Fermat's Last Theorem

A Genetic Introduction to Algebraic Number Theory
1. Auflage 1977. 3rd printing 2000
ISBN: 978-0-387-95002-0
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, Band 50, 407 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 1330 g

Reihe: Graduate Texts in Mathematics

This book is an introduction to algebraic number theory via the famous problem of "Fermat's Last Theorem." The exposition follows the historical development of the problem, beginning with the work of Fermat and ending with Kummer's theory of "ideal" factorization, by means of which the theorem is proved for all prime exponents less than 37. The more elementary topics, such as Euler's proof of the impossibilty of x+y=z, are treated in an elementary way, and new concepts and techniques are introduced only after having been motivated by specific problems. The book also covers in detail the application of Kummer's ideal theory to quadratic integers and relates this theory to Gauss' theory of binary quadratic forms, an interesting and important connection that is not explored in any other book.

Zielgruppe

Graduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Edwards, Harold M.

Fachgebiete

• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Algebra Zahlentheorie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Diskrete Mathematik, Kombinatorik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Fermat.- 2 Euler.- 3 From Euler to Kummer.- 4 Kummer’s theory of ideal factors.- 5 Fermat’s Last Theorem for regular primes.- 6 Determination of the class number.- 7 Divisor theory for quadratic integers.- 8 Gauss’s theory of binary quadratic forms.- 9 Dirichlet’s class number formula.- Appendix: The natural numbers.- Answers to exercises.